IT'S 'TIME TO GO'
In five seasons, the offense under the direction of Mike McCarthy flourished, but he said in order for him to grow, he needed to move on
Friday, January 28, 2005
By Jeff Duncan
Staff writer
It was one of the hottest items on the NFL rumor mill at the Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, Ala.: Why was offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy leaving the Saints?

The question begat even more questions.

Was McCarthy being forced out?

Was he upset with the organization?

Why would McCarthy leave the job where he built his reputation as one of the bright young offensive minds in the game?

And why would the Saints allow the man who orchestrated the most prolific offenses in franchise history walk away?

From the Tennessee Titans' Jeff Fisher to the Miami Dolphins' Nick Saban, coaches from around the league probed colleagues and Saints officials for answers.